Direct from DCA-SNA?

Is there any reason why? I would assume terrorism risks, but would like to know for sure. Thanks.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with security, as the DCA flight range limitation has been imposed for decades, with only some recent relaxation.

It is a vestige of the Civil Aeronautics Board days, and analogous to the more severe restrictions applied to DAL when DFW opened.

I suspect the DCA restrictions were imposed to force some (transcon) business to IAD. Now that IAD is more self-sustaining, there is less need to support it though such artificial devices, though it will help when the Metro ever goes as far as IAD.

That's exactly why this is in place. Similar restrictions are in place at LGA and DAL. In Denver they didn't want any chance of competition from a second airport so after it was closed *everything* except the control tower was removed (it was saved as a reminder of what once was). There are now houses on the old site.

DCA is also slot restricted and noise restricted and has a short runway. I would think that in the old days flights beyond the perimeter were barely possible with AC then in use. Now a 737 can make a transcon from DCA. DL flies a 757 on its SLC route.

Terrorism? Please. That's the most overused excuse in the book.

The perimeter rule is actually a legacy rule back from before the days of the A319/A320 or Next Generation 737s. The goal of the rule was two-fold: 1) to facilitate the growth of Dulles since it was in the middle of nowhere, and 2) to ensure smaller aircraft at DCA due to noise concerns as the surrounding area is quite populated.

The Dulles issue is no longer an issue, as that area has boomed, and it's actually busier than DCA now, IIRC. However, back in the 70's, Dulles was a joke, and nobody could believe anyone would build an airport out there.

As for the aircraft noise concern, the current rule is actually counter-productive to what they were trying to do. In the past, to fly pretty much anything over 1,250 miles, you'd need a 757 or 767. Now, since most newer aircraft have the range for a transcon, and are quieter than older aircraft, by requiring short flights, you are more likely to have an older, noisy aircraft serving DCA, because airlines will use their newer aircraft for longer routes.

If I remember correctly there was a night time limitation and I believe the last flighst came in before 10pm ( could be wrong but it was something like that). Now I think the last flight in of the day is like mid-night. Not sure about departures (noiser then arrivals) but I think that's most limited by demand. There may be some 10pm departures not sure.

Don't think airlines fly only older nosier jets to DCA. Se pretty much the same you see everywhere else depending on Airline.

Glad to know I'm not the only hobbit out there. Of course, I really prefer my breakfast at home to airline breakfasts (the smell of sausage and eggs makes me pretty queasy, actually), but it's one of the better meals the airlines can pull off!

Major airlines would love to have more long haul out of DCA. John McCain was the one that got long haul flights added. Part of the problem is that very desirable property is along the Potomac River and the influencial folks that live there do not want more flights (I do however, the airport was there first - I will take the noise for the convenience.)

That said - only non-major airlines got the routes ("for competition").

Six RT flights initially added now a few more. John McCain got three round trips for America West - now USAir. Two to Phoenix, One to Las Vegas. TWA got the DCA-LAX, but when AA bought TWA, the gov't took it away from AA and gave the route to AS for DCA-SEA. Later the DCA-LAX was added and also given to AS (Alaska). Frontier has the DCA-DEN, and DL got the DCA-SLC. UA and AA did not get any (they both wanted DCA-LAX) - and CO did not request any.

I actually think it was Stevens from Alaska that got the AS DCA/SEA/ANC route becaue it makes it easier for hom to get home. Now 2x daily (to sea anyway). Also, AS was supposed to start I think just after 9/11 and DCA was closed so they IAD instead and kept those flights as well.

Direct = stops enroute but continues with the same flight number (also makes a difference in fare structuring on the route).

Remember, direct is not the same as non-stop!

As for flights from DCA, there are a certain number of exemption slots awarded by Congress. We can all guess how that happened... let's just say, certain Senators and Representatives from western states didn't like the commute to Dulles every Tuesday and Thursday. I've twice seen Sen. McCain awaiting departure on HP out of DCA.

The LAX/SEA/PHX exemptions are relatively new (last 5-10 years). The LAX route was originally awarded to TWA, but AA didn't continue it (not sure whether it was up to AA or not)... and AS picked it up.

Um, I think the razing of Stapelton had a lot more to do with developing the land for $$$ than concerns over it one day returning to operation as a competitor of DIA!

Judging by this photo, you're probably right!

AA and UA very much wanted the DCA-LAX non-stop. Just transportation dept. would not let AA operate it after AA took over TWA. That slot was then transferred to the AS DCA-SEA non-stop and the DCA-LAX non-stop was eliminated. With the second round of long hauls - the DCA-LAX was reinstated with AS.